Socket wrench



Patented May 26, 1931 -1- UNITED STATES.

EDWARD M.

PATEN'u oFFicEf rrAUsER, on MILWAUKEE, wIscoNsIN AssrGNoR To 'I'I-IE- BLACKHA K MANUFACTURING COMPANY,

0F, MILwAUKEE,"wIso0NsIN SOCKET wnmcg This invention relates to new and useful improvements in socket wrenches, and more particularly to a reversible socket wrench. I

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of a reversible socket wrench which includes the reversible push plug structure, whereinthe socket portion of the wrench can be applied to the plug upon either side of the ratchet head.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a novel structure of the above type wherein the push plug is so fitted to the ratchet head that should the plug become broken it can be quickly and easily replaced with a new one. a

In the construction of wrenches of this character, the reversible push plug is usually maintained'in position by means of a pin carried by the ratchet head and operating in a groove in the push plug for limiting the movement of the push plug with respect to,

the head and causing the same to rotate with the head.

One of the main objections which has been found in the construction of this type of wrench, is the fact that heretofore the pin has been press-fittedthrough the hub ofthe ratchet end, therefore, when the push plug breaks off, it is necessary to drill out the pin before a new one can be fitted in place.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a reversible socket wrench wherein the retaining pin which holds the push plug in place is fitted into the hub of the ratchet in such manner that it can be quickly and easily removed for replacement or when the push plug is broken off, a new plug can be quickly fitted in place without thenecessity of refitting the rachet hub with a new pin..

With the above and other objects in view, the-invention consists in the novel features of construction, the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in the claims and shown in the accompanying drawings where- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through my improved socket wrench;

19st. Serial no. 471,710,

Figure 2 is a sectional View at right angles to Figure 1, with parts in elevation; and

V Figure 8 is a detailed transverse section.

In the general construction of wrenches of this type, I have included a substantial hollow handle portion 1 which terminates at its upper end in a head 2 provided with opposed openings for receiving'the bearing portions 3 of the ratchet head. The ratchet head is formed with a plurality of ratchet teeth 4 adapted to beengaged by a pivoted pawl: 5,-

the movement of which in one direction is limited by means of a cross pin 6.

In the construction of wrenches of this type, the ratchet head is provided with a substantially rectangular opening 7 in which, is slidably mounted a reversible push plug- 8. This plug 8 is adapted to have one end thereof fitted and retained within the ratchet head 3,while the other. end projects beyond one side of the ratchet head and receives thereon the usual ,nut socket which isordinarily used with wrenches of this'gtype.

The plug 8 is provided with transverse bores 9 having reduced neck portions forming annular shoulders 10 adjacent the outer ends of thebores. Arranged within the bores 9 are the stop lugs 11 having annular shoulders adapted to abut the shoulders 10 for limiting the outward movement of these lugs. The inner ends of the lugs are each provided with a recess in which one end of the coil spring 12i-s fitted, the other end of said spring bearing against theinner end of bore 7.

Normally, the outer end of each lug 11 projects beyond one face of the plug 8 and the lugs at the ends of the plug are adapted to be received within longitudinal grooves-13, extending inwardly from opposite ends of the ratchet head 3, and at the innermost end of the grooves there are recesses or indenta:

tion, so that the lugs 11 will have their projectingportion of balls 16, as shown atrounded ends properly seated within the indentations 14.

From the illustration in Figure 1, it will be noted that one end of the plug 8 is projected beyond one side of the head 3 to receive thereon the usual nut socket used in connection with wrenches of this type, and the plug will be securely held in this position by means of the lug at the right which. is seated within its respective indentation 145 and bears against the dividing shoulder be'-' tween the two grooves 13. When it is 'de-' sired to shift the position of plug 8 from that shown in Figure 1, pressure exerted. on the outer end of the plug will have a tendency to cause the outer'end of plug 11 to be disengaged fromthe indentation le at the'right, and this is easily accomplished due to the rounded head 15 of the lug. The block is then pushed endwise until the lugjat the left hand end of the plug is engaged within the indentation of the left side of the ratchet head.

It will be apparent'from this construction that should the push plugbecome broken ofi' through application. upon heavy work, the

parts of theplug can be quickly and easily removed from the ratchet head. i

In Figure 3,.I have illustrated a slightly modified form of the invention wherein'the bore 9" opens at both sides ofthe pushplug 8" and one side of thejplug has .an opening which is slightly more restricted than the opening at the other side and engaged within this restricted opening is a ball 16,;urged into the opening by means of the coil'spring-12- which is positioned between the ball and the stop lug 11. I

In this form 13 terminate upon opposite sides or the centerof the ratchet head L3 to form asto-p shoulder '14, against which lugsll a'but'- when the push plug is moved longitudinally in either direction.' I- r L A It will be noted that i-nthis formofjthe invention the ratchet head is provided-with spaced-recesses 17, arranged upon opposite sides of the center of the rat'chet headB' and these recesses are adapted to receive the Figure 3, to assist in retaining'the push plug 8 in its operatlve position, as SllOWILlfi F 1gure 8. Y

IVhen it is desired to urge the push plug' 8 from the position shown in Figure i3to the other. side of the ratchet head, it is'only necessary to exert'pressure to the outer end of thejpush plug which will have atendency to release the ball 16 nowengaged with. its

respective recess 17 and engage theother ball 16 with its respective recess, thus the push plug can be projected from either side of the. ratchet head 3" and securely held inoperative position. .However, should the'push plug become broken off through application upon heavy work, the broken parts of the plug of the invention; the grooves ing a ratchet head having an axial opening therethrough, a" movableelement positioned within the opening, said head having longitudinal grooves extending inwardly from opposite sides thereof at one side of the opening and yieldable members carried by'the movable element and positionable within said grooves toprovide stops to limit the movement of the movable member axially in either direction. l

2. A wrench of theclass described includ-.

ingaratchet. head having anaxiafl opening,

' 'aapush plug movably mounted in said open ing, grooves in the ratchet head atone side.

said. ratchet'head having recessesat one-side of the opening and spring-pressed"members carried by the push plug and adapted to engage within saidgrooves and recesses" for retaining the push plugin projected position'upon either side of the ratchet head;

' 3. .A wrench of the class described including a ratchet head having an axialopehing,

, of the opening extending inwardly to a point adjacent the center of the ratchet'head,

a groove inthe headextending inwardly 7 from .eachiside thereof to a point adjacent the center of said head, said head having re-' cesses upon oppositesid-es of thecenter'and at one side of the axial opening, a push plug longitudinally movable in the opening, spring-pressed lugs carried by the push plug and having their outer endsadapted to be disposed within said grooves, and spring-l pressed ball members carried by the push plug and adapted-to be engaged in said re; cesses'for retaining the push plug in position with 5 either end projecting from" either side'of the ratchet he'adi 1 In testimony that I olaimithe foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at' Milwaukee,

in the county of Milwaukee anctState of Wisconsin. I r EDWARD M. PFAUSER, 

